The world has changed in the past six months, and so may you and your job. Whether you have just graduated or are ready for a new challenge, there are a number of questions that have become more important in your job interview since the start of the corona crisis. Recruitment expert Hays is happy to list the most important ones for you.
In recent months, we have all had time to reflect on our life and our job. Do we still like to do that? Does your company have the same goals as you? You may even want to go in a completely different direction. You are certainly not alone in this. It is therefore important that you have a well-structured CV and ask the right questions once you are invited to an interview.
The standard questions for during your interview remain important. What does a typical day look like in that position? Can you tell me more about the team? Or what is the success of the team and this job? For more tips, tricks or standard questions, be sure to take a look at the Hays Career Blog.
To show that you are also thinking about the current way of working, you can also consider asking some questions that relate to the recent crisis. It will give you a good idea of the management and culture in the company you are applying for. Recruitment expert Hays lists the eight most important questions for you.
-
What has the company learned from the COVID-19 crisis? From the point of view of the company as well as from the management? A company that says nothing has changed since the corona crisis does not exist. Most companies have had to reinvent themselves in record time to keep going. They must have also made mistakes. But it's the way they dealt with it that counts. Both as a company and someone in a leading position within the company.
- What support can I expect if I work from home? Perhaps the most important question of all given the amount of teleworking. Hays expects teleworking to become more and more an acquired right, giving employees more freedom. However, this is still new territory for many organizations. It is therefore important to know in advance how an organization views teleworking and what support you can get from them. This can be about equipment, training or wellness programs.
- What is the management style when it comes to hybrid teams? And can the company provide certain best practices? Variations in the circumstances, preferences or demands of employees within the same workforce can lead to the emergence of hybrid teams. These are teams in which some members work in a co-working place, while others work remotely. So every day can look very different, with part of the team coming to the office on some days and another part staying at home. This is new territory for many managers and presents new challenges. It might be a good idea to understand how they run their hybrid teams and whether they have learned lessons from the long period of remote leadership over the past few months.
- How does the company ensure that its organizational structure remains the same when working with hybrid teams? A new hybrid way of working brings with it a whole new set of challenges when it comes to preserving and building the culture of an organization. It is important to understand what steps the organization is taking in this regard.
- How does the company view future uncertainties? Nobody can predict the future, not even companies. But they can arm themselves against bad times. If the open vacancy is your dream job, you want to do it for as long as possible. So look for a company with a vision for the future, and a clear back-up plan for those times when the economy breaks down.
- What are the company's strategic priorities? And have they changed due to the crisis? Does this job play an important role in supporting it? If during the corona crisis you realized that you prefer a job with a clear purpose, this question certainly applies to you. It is important that you know what the strategic priorities of the organization are and how your position will contribute to achieving them.
-
How does the organization live up to its goals? Does the open vacancy contribute to this? In recent months, many people have realized where their own priorities lie. The crisis and lockdown have forced us to question whether we are spending our time on this planet in the best possible way. So it is likely that you are more likely than ever to work for an organization where you feel that your personal values are aligned.
- Does the company support employees who want to learn lifelong, so that they can work in a flexible way in the future? In recent months it has become clear that we all need to be flexible and agile. If this is one of your priorities, then you should look for a company that supports its employees in improving their skills and autonomy. This question will give you insight into whether a company is open to new ways of working or not.
Asking the right questions ensures that you are seen as a genuinely interested, competent candidate. Watch out. It is important that you also listen to what the interviewer says during your interview. You don't want to ask questions about a topic that has already been discussed.
Also, keep in mind that this interview is equally about finding out if the vacancy and the company are right for you. Use your conversation as an opportunity to ask the most relevant, informed, and timely questions you can ask to make sure you're making the right career decision.
ABOUT HAYS BELGIUM
Hays plc (the "Group") is the worldwide expert at recruiting qualified, professional and talented staff and is celebrating its 50 th anniversary. The Hays Group is the market leader in the UK and Asia Pacific and has a strong market position in Continental Europe and Latin America. Hays recruits professionals in the public and private sector on a temporary or permanent basis, or through contracting. As of December 31, 2019, the Hays Group had 11,600 employees working from 266 offices in 33 countries within 20 specialties. June 30, 2019:
- the Group reported net compensation of £ 1,129.7 billion and operating profit (exceptional items) of £ 248.8 million;
- the Group placed approximately 81,000 candidates in permanent jobs and approximately 254,000 people in temporary jobs;
- 18% of the Group's net commission was generated in Australia and New Zealand, 27% in Germany, 23% in the UK and Ireland and 32% in the rest of the world (RoW);
- temporary placement activities represented 57% of net wages and permanent placement activities represented 43% of net wages;
- Hays is active in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands , New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.